Fangs of the Forbidden Heart

The Forbidden Night

As Rhea entered the cool night air, she tried to expel the oppressive weight of the evening by breathing in short, shallow gasps. Her only companion as she strolled around the garden was the gentle rustle of leaves, and the magnificent ballroom of the Ashford estate seemed like a faraway memory.

Too many emotions mixed together caused her brain to spin. What led to this situation? The deal with Xavier. the expectations of her father. the assurances given before she even had a voice.

She came to a stop at the fountain, which provided a slight solace with its soft flow of water. Around her, the darkness seemed to deepen, and then there was a sudden noise—a heavy footstep that could not be missed.

A voice that was recognisable broke the stillness. The word "Rhea."

Her pulse sprang in her breast as she turned to see Lucien Cade, his silver hair shining in the moonlight, come out of the darkness. With an intensity that made her heart race, his brown, piercing eyes surveyed her face. Everything she could not have and the peril of pursuing her passion over her responsibilities were brought home to her by his presence.

Lucien replied, "You should not be out here alone," in a low but worried voice.

Though it fell short of her eyes, Rhea pushed herself to grin. "Yet here I am,"

Lucien moved in closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "Rhea, you are not simply going against your father's wishes this evening. You are in defiance of yourself.

His remarks triggered a reaction in her, and she swiftly averted her gaze to gaze into the shadowy garden. "I did not request any of this," she whispered. This union. This existence. You believe I desired this?

Lucien was silent for a moment, his demeanour as steady and composed as ever. "I am certain that you didn't. You have always had options, though. Rhea, you still have an option.

Rhea closed her eyes, attempting to calm the swirling emotions that threatened to explode. She no longer felt confident in her ability to choose. "The decision has been made for me. You are aware of that.

Lucien answered in a quiet but firm voice, "I do not believe that." "Determination has always been within your power."

Something unsaid made Rhea's chest clench, and she stepped back. Because of the weight of his words, she was unable to look at him any longer. "I can not make this decision alone," she said in a tremulous tone.

Before Lucien could answer, they both heard heavy, deliberate footfall coming. Rhea's heart pounded when her father's familiar form materialised at the garden gate, his face hard and uncompromising.

Rhea's heart lurched as Magnus continued, "I believed I would find you out here," in a stern voice.

Rhea's eyes shifted from her father to Lucien, who had straightened at the mention of Magnus's name. As the tension in the air increased, she could feel her father's rage bearing down on her.

Magnus's gaze tightened, focussing intently on Lucien. With a dagger-like stare, he stated icily, "This is not a place for frivolous discussion." "You ought to be with the visitors inside."

Rhea could see Lucien's shoulders tense, but he refused to back down. "Alpha, she is not idle," he remarked coolly. "All we did was speak."

Her father's face flashed something, but Rhea could not tell if it was disapproval or mistrust. With a snap, he said, "Talking is for another time." "You are squandering time, Rhea, and our pack's future is on the line."

Rhea bit her lip to avoid answering. Although it seemed inevitable, she was not in the mood for a confrontation. Magnus was a natural force, and her resistance and indecision seemed to fuel his anger all the time.

"I do not need your approval, Father," Rhea answered quietly, but with a strength she had not realised she possessed. "I did not request any of this. You are aware of it.

A spark of something perilously near rage lit in Magnus' eyes. He moved nearer, his bulk looming over her. "You will fulfil your obligation, Rhea. It is going to happen that you marry Xavier Thorne. Nothing else is an option. Not at this time.

Her heart pounded as she met his gaze, rage roiling within her. No. There must be another option. She opened her mouth to speak, but Lucien interrupted.

Magnus, you cannot coerce her into doing this. not in this manner. He seemed to dare to confront the Alpha himself, as evidenced by his firm voice and unwavering look.

Magnus turned to face Lucien, a faint line twisting his lips. He said in a low, menacing voice, "You will remain out of this." "The family should handle this, not the pack's slaves."

Breathing became difficult for Rhea. She was surprised by how much her father's icy rejection of Lucien hurt. Even if Magnus did not admit it, Lucien is family. She was devoted to him and to those who had supported her throughout her life.

However, her father's rage seemed to only intensify as the moments went by. "I will not say the same thing twice. What we began tonight will be completed when you get back to that hall. Know what I mean?

For Rhea, his words were like a tidal wave, crashing down on her. It was not merely an order. It was a command.

Rhea averted her eyes from her father's piercing stare, rage brewing inside her. As she held onto the edge of the fountain, she could feel the stone beneath her palms getting cold. Her heart pounded in her chest with agony.

Her voice trembled with barely controlled anger as she gritted her teeth and whispered, "Papa, I am not a pawn to be moved at your will."

Magnus' expression softened for a moment, and the faintest trace of worry flickered in his eyes before it was gone, replaced by the Alpha's unwavering power. With a low, authoritative voice, he declared, "You are my daughter." And you will carry out your obligation. We need to do this for the pack's survival.

Rhea's veins were flooded with rage as she tightened her hands at her sides. She was unable to breathe and think properly. They were closing in on the walls. Her heart was drawing her in a way she could not describe, and her decisions seemed like falsehoods.

Lucien took a step towards her and put a gentle touch on her shoulder. "Rhea." He spoke in a soft but determined voice. "This is not a choice for you."

However, there was no longer a choice. Did it?

She glanced from Lucien to her father, and Rhea felt her determination begin to waver. What if this was the only option? She had a responsibility to her father's legacy and the pack. However, what about her heart? How about the men who had spent so much time keeping her safe?

She knew that there would be repercussions for whatever she did, and the decision's weight overwhelmed her.

A growl, low and threatening, rang out suddenly in the distance. The forests were the source.

Rhea's instincts took over, and her heart jumped in her chest. Her eyes darted across the shadowy garden, looking for any activity. Deep, primordial, and threatening, the growl was unlike anything she had ever heard.

Lucien narrowed his piercing gaze as his hand closed around her arm. "Something is not right."

As the roar reverberated and the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel became more distinct, the air around them became thicker. It came close. It is too near.

Rhea felt her heart race. "What is that?"

Already alert, her father's posture changed to that of the Alpha she was all too familiar with. "Remain near me," he commanded.

It was too late, though. It was a much more dangerous creature than any other that emerged from the shadows. A figure Rhea never saw coming, and one that would cause turmoil in the entire situation.

The word "Rhea..." The worry in Lucien's voice caused him to murmur. "Now we have to leave."

However, Rhea was immobile. With a chill shivering down her spine, she stared at the approaching figure.